About Us

Originally opened in August of 1976 as Arlington Community Hospital in a rural part of town, MCA has developed into a 326-bed full-service hospital located in the heart of the growing South Arlington area.

Careers

Our employees are the foundation of Medical Center of Arlington healthcare. All of them are greater members of MCA's diverse and expansive healthcare community that includes physicians, nurses, non-clinical healthcare professionals, and support staff.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Definition

The thoracic outlet is the area of the lower neck and upper chest. This area has a variety of nerves, blood vessels, muscles and bones that run through a fairly small area. When the nerves and blood vessels of this area are compressed, irritated or injured they can cause a range of symptoms known as the thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

During an elevated arm stress test, your doctor will ask you to hold your arms and head in positions that may cause the TOS symptoms to reappear. The results of these tests will help determine whether you have TOS and rule out other possible related conditions.

Treatment

Treatment varies depending on your specific symptoms. In most cases, TOS is managed with pain medication and physical therapy.

Medication

Your doctor may recommend the following:

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Muscle relaxers

Antidepressants

Blood thinners

Anti-platelet medications

Physical Therapy

A physical therapist will design some some exercises for you. The exercises will help to relieve symptoms by relaxing nearby muscles, improving posture and reducing pressure on nerves and blood vessels.

Lifestyle Changes

As part of your treatment, you may need to make lifestyle changes. Some of these may include:

Avoid activity that causes pain

Practice good posture

Avoid repetitive motion

Change your workstation layout

If you are overweight, talk to your doctor about how you can lose weight

Exercise regularly to improve strength, flexibility and range of motion

Surgery

If other treatments fail, your doctor may recommend surgery. The goal of surgery is to move or remove the source of the compression. In some people, this may involve removing part or all of the first rib to make more room for the nerves and blood vessels.

Prevention

There are no current guidelines to prevent TOS.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.